Afghanistan: Archaeology Expert

Job Title. Archaeology Expert

Organization. UNESCO/Kabul Office

Duty Station Kabul, Afghanistan

Job Number KAB/CLT/11/2017/01

Contract Type Consultancy Contract

Salary Based on the Organization’s Salary Scale and applicants' financial proposals

Announcing Date 29 November 2017

Closing Date 13 December 2017 (midnight, Kabul time)

Contract Duration 2 months

Background. Afghanistan is believed to possess a significant amount of minerals which might substantially contribute to its future economic development. However, there is also risk involved, as the experience of other countries has shown.

In Afghanistan, around 25 mining areas of interest have been identified throughout the country, some of which require strategic or large-scale mining projects: this significant number of sites, scattered throughout the country, spreads the possible social and physical impacts of the extractive industries sector nationwide, thus confirming the necessity of considering the governance of this process as a priority to achieve sustainability in all its diverse interconnected factors, including the protection of natural and cultural heritage resources.

In 2014 UNESCO started a specific program aimed at providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Information and Culture (MoIC) in undertaking archaeological surveys in and around main mining sites in Afghanistan, and in preparing heritage management plans to ensure protection and preservation of cultural heritage.

Initially conceived as a two-year project (2014-2016), the first phase has shown the relevance of continuing the activated process for safeguarding the exceptionally rich heritage of the country within large-scale development initiatives and UNESCO has recently commenced a II Phase which will enhance cooperation between the Afghan Ministry of Information & Culture and Ministry of Mines & Petroleum in order to improve the governance mechanisms and institutional capacity to effectively consolidate a process of simultaneously developing the mining sector and protecting the rich heritage of Afghanistan. An important part of this II Phase will be focused on the organization of specific training programs in the field of study, documentation and conservation of archaeological heritage.

UNESCO is looking for a committed Archaeology Expert who will conduct a training program on archaeological excavation/documentation as part of the archaeological activities UNESCO will be carrying out within the Project's framework.

Scope.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Culture Unit and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the successful candidate will be responsible for conducting a training program on methodologies for archaeological excavation, documentation and interpretation for national officials/professionals in Afghanistan. The incumbent shall be also responsible for advising the relevant Departments at the Ministry of Information & Culture (MoIC – in particular the Institute of Archaeology) on how to collect onsite data with a view to their future insertion in a geo-referenced system for centralized consultation and management. The candidate must possess the technical knowledge in the field of archaeological excavation, documentation and study, and the capacity to transmit this scientific knowledge to Afghan officials and professionals.

Main Responsibilities.

Under the general supervision of the head of Culture Unit and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Archaeology Expert shall:

· Prepare a detailed training program for the relevant Afghan officials/professionals in the following main fields:

• Theory and Methodology for archaeological excavation, documentation and interpretation;

• Key phases and components of Central Asian tangible culture, with a focus on Buddhist art and architecture.

The training will include lectures and classes exercises (as required) and will be opened to MoIC officials from relevant Departments (mainly Institute of Archaeology) and relevant Afghan Universities (such as: Faculty of Archaeology from the Universities of Kabul and Bamiyan).

During the preparation phase, the Consultant will be asked to provide advices on the requirements for the participants, thus assisting the involved Afghan Institutions in optimizing the selection of the most suitable candidates for the training;

· Conduct the aforementioned training program in Kabul, Afghanistan (preferably during the first half of 2018). The training program will last a maximum of 22 working days. Language: English (simultaneous translation in Dari will be organized by UNESCO, as required);

· Prepare a final evaluation of the trainees who participated in the training, including recommendations on how to possibly continue the training with future additional sessions (including, field exercises as required);

· Advise the relevant MoIC Departments (in particular the Institute of Archaeology) on how to improve/create standardized schemes for the collection of field data with a view to including them in geo-referenced systems for centralized consultation and management;

· Prepare PPT presentation, bibliography and any other training materials as required to ensure the proper implementation of the Capacity-Building program;

· Prepare reports and related possible technical annexes as required for presenting the results of the activities conducted under this Consultancy Contract.

Qualifications and requirements.

Academic qualifications:

• Master’s Degree or higher in archaeology with a specific focus/specialization in Archaeology and Art of Central Asia.

Years of Work Experience:

• At least 7 years of full-time experience in all aspects of archaeological excavation, documentation, and interpretation with demonstrable experience in archaeological projects conducted in Central Asia;

• Demonstrable experience in working in a multi-cultural team;

• Previous experience in conflict/post-conflict contexts, including Afghanistan, is an advantage;

Other Competencies/skills:

• Availability to remain continuously in Kabul for at least 1 month (30 consecutive days);

• Excellent communication, writing and reporting skills.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English and good command of French is a requirement (both written and oral). Knowledge of Dari would be an asset.

Expected Deliverables:

The expected deliverables under this contract will be:

i) Inception Report/Work plan

The Consultant will submit an Inception Report/Work Plan describing the detailed contents of the training program, including the final proposed time frame in consultation with UNESCO.

ii) Training for selected Afghan officials/professionals

iii) Final Report

The Consultant will submit a Final Report describing all the activities conducted under this contract, including possible challenges encountered, recommendations to mitigate identified difficulties and an evaluation of the trainees’ performance. The Report will include also the results of advises given to the relevant Afghan institutions in the field of onsite data collection for archaeological documentation.

Working period and work conditions

Working period

2-month Consultancy Contract

Work conditions

The position is home/ Kabul based. UNESCO will provide cell phone, office space and access to office equipment as required to perform tasks. The incumbent might be requested to be deployed at the relevant Ministries when required.

How to Apply

The interested candidates should send a written proposal to k.human-resource@unesco.org before 13 December 2017 (by midnight, Kabul time), with subject KAB/CLT/11/2017/01.

The written proposal should comprise the following components:

1) A Technical Proposal consisting of the following:

· An up-to-date curriculum vitae;

· A description of the proposed approach for undertaking the assignment (max 500 words);

· The proposed work plan

2) A Financial Proposal consisting of a negotiable lump sum amount to be charged for the assignment, which should be quoted in USD.

This lump sum should include only the expected remuneration. Travel costs for the mission to Kabul and related ICSC DSA will be paid separately to the appointed Consultant according to the UN rates for Kabul, Afghanistan and should not be included in the Financial Proposal.

Please note that applications received after December13, 2017 (midnight Kabul time) will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates whose application responds to the established criteria will be contacted. UNESCO regrets its inability to reply individually or attend to telephone queries on the advertised posts.